Families Connected Through Traditional Japanese Play at a Hotel Event
- 2026.06.14
- category staff blog
Yesterday, we held a traditional Japanese play event at a hotel in Kyoto.
Families visiting Kyoto from the UK, the United States, and other countries joined us, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere throughout the event.
For many guests, it was their first time trying kendama. Although they found it challenging, they continued practicing with enthusiasm. One of the most memorable moments was seeing families who had never met before celebrating each other’s successes and sharing tips on how to improve. Whenever someone succeeded, spontaneous applause and cheers would spread through the room, creating a warm sense of connection among the guests.
The children were especially impressive at daruma otoshi. While many adults found it difficult, the children repeatedly achieved perfect rounds with ease, drawing surprised reactions from everyone around them.
Guests also enjoyed a variety of traditional Japanese activities, including origami, tosenkyo, and fukuwarai. Each family spent time exploring the activities at their own pace and enjoying a unique cultural experience together.
One of the wonderful things about traditional Japanese play is that it can bring people together even when they do not share the same language. During the event, we saw guests naturally start conversations, encourage one another, and celebrate each other’s achievements. The entire room was filled with smiles and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
At the end of the event, we took commemorative photos together, and we were delighted to hear many guests say, “That was so much fun!”
At AriHana Kyoto, we share the joy of traditional Japanese play not only in our play space but also through special events like this. We hope this experience became one of the cherished memories of our guests’ trip to Kyoto.
